Governor Paterson Supports New York City Traffic Congestion Fees

March 22, 2008 12:01 p.m. EST

Albany, NY (AHN) - New York Governor David Paterson gave his support to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to charge drivers fees in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the busiest streets of Manhattan.

The decision was based on the recommendation of the New York City Traffic Mitigation Commission and came after a closed-door meeting between the new Democratic governor and the mayor.

Plans call for charging drivers passing through the area of 61st street on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. $8 through E-Z pass tags will work in the New York residents' favor, according to Gov. Paterson. He reportedly said that doing so not only reduces traffic congestion and thereby decreases pollution, but also allows the state to garner enough funds for mass transit developments in the city.

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer also supported the same project, but he was not in office long enough to see it implemented.